For those who’ve lived in both Europe and the USA, I would like to hear your take. What do you love about each place, and what drawbacks have you noticed? Whether it’s the Old World charm of Europe or the dynamic lifestyle in the USA, spill the beans. In the end, what was the game-changer that made you pick one over the other and if you could share the decision-making behind your preferred choice.
I’m a dual US/EU citizen who grew up in the States and now lives in Europe. I get jealous of how much money my American friends make, and sometimes think they’re “ahead” of me in terms of career trajectory since they make more than I do (I’m from NYC) and I chose to live in a lower-income EU country.
But, I live a full life here in Spain. There is nothing like strolling through old streets, admiring the architecture, drinking in the plazas with friends, taking weekend trips across the country etc. Spanish people spend a lot of time outside in third spaces and it really creates a unique kind of community I could never find in the US.
I never have to think about gun crime, I have full access to healthcare because I pay for it through my contributions, I can take public transport anywhere I want, and I have tons of friends. It’s nice to live in a country where no one gives a fuck about anything except friends, family, and enjoyment for the sake of enjoyment. There is no undercurrent of anxiety and stress here that exists in the US. I can walk home across the city at 4AM and nothing will happen to me except bumping into old people going for a stroll, which I could never do in Philly, NYC, or Miami when I lived there. Everyday I’m thankful for my freedom of movement and that I have an entire continent to explore and have full, unrestricted access to work or study in 31 countries.
I cannot see myself living back in the US, but I do worry about the fact that the job market across Europe is really bad and I will never, ever in my lifetime have as much financial freedom as my American peers with whom I grew up. My career growth and trajectory will never be as strong or as promising as it would be had I stayed in the US, especially since I went to a good university. I still choose to be in Europe.
Worst aspects of Europe for me: low salaries, getting paid once a month, lack of career growth, cost of utilities, increasing car dependency, the job market is very territorial by language.
The only thing truly stopping me from moving to Spain (my Spanish partner wants nothing more than for me to but his idea of it isn’t realistic) is that I’d be giving up my voucher in NYC. 🫤
Sorry what’s a voucher in NYC?
I’m living in Spain too! From Jersey
Can’t argue with any of the points you made.
On your last point, it’s absolutely possible to do remote work for American companies through something called professional employment organization (PEO). There’s been a proliferation since Covid and because of programmers. They are registered in the country and do your taxes and paperwork, your employer has to pay an extra fee and contract you through them.
You are then legally an employee of the PEO who invoices their us client (your old employer).
I feel it’s too easy to generalize Europe as a whole. The job market is Spain might not be good, but in The Netherlands its very good.
Salaries in London will be on par with what you earn in NYC.
States in the states still are all part of the same system. In Europe the contrast between some countries couldn’t be bigger.
Depends on what aspect of the job market. Availability of jobs is one thing, gross wages another, even in relatively wealthy countries like the Netherlands and Germany. These are a lot lower compared to US metro areas. A lot of the difference is spent on housing, but if that difference is mainly in paying down an expensive mortgage, it does mean building a lot of equity over time.
Salaries in London aren’t even on par with affordable US cities unless you are referring to unskilled jobs like checkout operator, janitor, etc.
Yeah, Zürich, by contrast has higher average salaries than NYC
Fair enough. The income differences around Europe are huge though. Im from the UK by birth, moved to the Netherlands about a decade ago.
Im a doctor and the NHS is nothing but horrible. Dutch wages for medical staff can compete with American incomes. However my liability insurance is €300 a year…
On top of that I work 3-4 a week. Unheard of in the UK and US.
Totally agree with the part on Xenophobia. As a non-white person, finding a good job is more difficult in Europe compared to the United States.
I have come to understand that there will be racism everywhere I live outside Africa. So why not rather experience it at a place where I am getting paid better due to my qualification (PhD)?.
There’s no shortage of racism inside Africa either.
This is my dream.
This was quite interesting to read, as an European who is about to move to Spain.
Whats the downside of this? Maybe i am overlooking something because i never knew anything else. But seems its the same amount of money either way.
Yes and no. You won’t be able to afford to buy as much stuff but you can start a small business much more easily or work part time or do consulting or contract work and keep your health insurance. I’m in the US now making into the 6-figures but I have no flexibility at all. it’s work 40hrs a week 48 weeks a year or bust. And then I see people going bankrupt anyway after an illness and I wonder why bother?
Also the cost of living has gone insane in the last three years. If you left before 2019 it’s hard to understand how completely insane it is here now. And its everywhere, even formerly lcol areas are nuts.
Many many Americans spend $3-5k a month on health insurance, childcare and student loans before even addressing the traditional costs like housing, food or utilities. It’s a CRAZY amount.
It’s not that difficult getting health insurance as a freelancer unless business is slow. You just pay for it on your own via the marketplace and account for it as a business expense when charging clients.
If anything, the US is actually one of the easiest places in the world to start your own small business and work independently. There’s a reason we’re the startup capital of the world.